Aaron Funk, part of the international, loosely-linked Rainbow Family, describes what his group is doing to help in Waveland, Miss. WAVELAND, Miss.-One of the great ironies in the landscape of Katrina recovery efforts is the success of the New Waveland Café. It is, in fact, a soup kitchen, and for parts of the last eight weeks, it has served as many as 4,000 meals a day.

It is still doling out 1,500 to 2,000 meals a day. It is remarkable as much in its atmosphere as in its volume. Imagine being asked, after standing in line for dinner at a relief center, having lost your home: “Would you like walnut vinaigrette with your salad?”

This is the world of the Rainbow Family, and friends. The Rainbow people are the latest generation of hippies, and to hear them describe their set-up -- which can’t be described as a structure -- you might not predict efficiency. “Our group is non-political, non-religious, non-organization or hierarchical,” says (non) spokesman Aaron Funk. “We make decisions as a group in a council through a consensus process. There are no official leaders. We all represent the circle at any time.”

There are tie-dyed T-shirts and dogs with bandanas. There are bands playing every few days. It doesn’t feel like the prime spot for hurricane relief. And yet, local people line up here, day after day, and will tell you that it is certainly one of, if not the best, meal in town.

There’s grilled pork, curried veggies and Basmati rice; most of the foods are organic. It works, and what is amazing about that is this: They’ve never done this before. Top-notch meals. According to Funk, the alternative groups, linked through the Internet and through spiritual-social gatherings like the annual Burning Man festival in Nevada, ended up producing this effort.

Funk lived in Berkeley, Calif., and was in contact with Colvis Siemon, who works at Organic Valley, of Viroqua, Wis. The two of them were in the initial group of about 10 people who arrived at the scene of the disaster about 10 days after Katrina hit. Organic Valley donated kitchen equipment, and later, a steady supply of food. “It took us three or four days to realize we had to get here,” he says.

But getting into the disaster zone was complicated, and took several more days. “Unfortunately, it was very confusing, and I don’t think anyone knew what to do,” says Funk. They had a mobile kitchen with capacity to feed 5,000 a day, but they got caught in a web of approvals, as one department handed off to another for a decision. “We end up calling 20 different numbers and nobody had an answer, so we showed up.”

They met up with another group, one of the first on the ground here, Bastrop Christian Outreach Center (BCOC), based in Bastrop, Texas. It was a match made in heaven, and hardship. Bastrop soon handed over the meal service function to Rainbow, and began focusing on distribution of groceries and other necessities.

Resources continue to materialize, like a massive geodesic tent from Burning Man, which is used for the main meal site. At the same time, Rainbow people hooked up with all the people they needed. Organic Valley proves a semi-truck full of food every week, and other contributors like Sanderson Farms also send in goods.

Although several government organizations tried to shut down the operation in the early days, the relationship with the government agencies has been smoothed over. “We now have placed a food order and received a shipment from the Emergency Operations Center,” says Siemon.

Anyone and everyone

As far as this group is concerned, anybody who has anything to offer the people suffering from Katrina is a potential partner. “We’re working with any and all groups who come through here,” says Funk. “We’re working Christian, non-Christian, FEMA, the National Guard ... anyone and everyone.” Meals are the basic service. But there is also first aid for those who need it, and a children’s art space, which sometimes also has psychiatric counselors. And going well above and beyond the call of duty, Rainbow people are offering courses that didn’t exist here, even before Katrina-salsa, waltz and tango.

Meantime, if that geodesic tent that houses the New Waveland Café looks familiar, it’s because it is used at Burning Man. Some of the producers of that event are here in the background. But try to get any background on the Rainbow Family and the links that bind them together, and run up against a wall. Who are the members, and how many are there?

All they know, says Funk, is that it every year, on July 4, people come out to join meditation gatherings in groups of 8,000 to 20,000. How many people are in the worldwide movement? “No idea,” says Funk. “It’s international, and its non-organization. It’s a friend-of-a-friend’s network.”

Why it all came together to work at the New Waveland Café is equally mysterious. “There’s a huge amount of magic, and help,” says Siemon. “I don’t know how it worked.”

From: Marty
Subject: From MSNBC.com
Date: November 1, 2005

New Waveland Cafe wrote:

> http://risingfromruin.msnbc.com/2005/11/meals_and_dance.html

Below I have snipped out the portions where 9 uses of the word “group” are needed to explain why the “Rainbow Family” is not a group, and finally ends up describing it as a “network.” Call it anything as long as you admit it’s a group, because the permits absolutely require it. Including everyone with a belly button is just not sufficiently exclusive I guess.

It seems the more they try to deny it, the more this really ends up looking like a “group.” I’m glad somebody is helping out, under any label, but I never asked them to represent or speak for me without my permission. But then again, what do you expect from an NRMT-approved activity?

> Aaron Funk, part of the international, loosely-linked Rainbow Family, describes what his group is doing to help in Waveland, Miss.

> “Our group is non-political, non-religious, non-organization or hierarchical,” says (non) spokesman Aaron Funk. “We make decisions as a group in a council through a consensus process. There are no official leaders. We all represent the circle at any time.”
> Top-notch meals According to Funk,

> It seems the more they try to deny it, the more this really ends up looking like a “group.” I’m glad somebody is helping out, under any label, but I never asked them to represent or speak for me without my permission.

Take the pole out of your ass, Marty. I know you enjoy playing the martyr (even tho you haven’t attended a gathering in how long????), but trying to act like a victim via semantics is rather weak.

I don’t recall anybody saying they were “speaking for Marty.” The story is not about you, but is about a really good thing happening in the midst of something awful. If it matters so much to you, why don’t you go on down to Waveland or to the Welcome Home Cafe in Algiers and lend a hand instead. They could use the help.

> It seems the more they try to deny it, the more this really ends up looking like a “group.” I’m glad somebody is helping out, under any label, but I never asked them to represent or speak for me without my permission. But then again, what do you expect from an NRMT-approved activity?

Ive read the stroy several times ...and try as I might I couldnt find your name in it even one time .... so how in yourwarped mind can you assume they or anyone else is speaking for yuou .... in fact Idont believe you where even there were you martry..... it appears to me ...that you had nothing to do =with the endevour.... in fact you sat on your ass critising their efforts ..... and by your own claim YOUR NOT A Rainbow...... what you are is paranoid critical and condesending...... you are so self absiorbed martry that you see your selve being spoken for everywhere ... when in fact you are seldom even spoken about.....gte a fucking life marty andstop findinf fault with people who accually care enough to do something for someone else and not sitting on their asses like yourself

Heyia any and all -- Just stopped-by to look ‘in’ and say Hi. Things are OK, getting ready to drive cross-country (east). Been busy and whatnot. Life is ... interesting. Hope everybody is well. Hope/plan to make the Gathering in Colo. next year.

Peace.
skye

From: Marty
Subject: From MSNBC.com
Date: November 1, 2005

Subkommander Dred wrote:

> I don’t recall anybody saying they were “speaking for Marty.” The story is not about you, but is about a really good thing happening in the midst of something awful.

It repeatedly refers to an imaginary “group” that includes everyone who has ever participanted in rainbow gatherings, merely because they have NRMT’s blessing. It’s understandable since the NRMT are working for the NFS and they all the examples they can get of an organization outside of the gatherings. The more the better, from a legal precedent standpoint, but worse for me, from the standpoint of my First Amendment rights.

> If it matters so much to you, why don’t you go on down to Waveland or to the Welcome Home Cafe in Algiers and lend a hand instead. They could use the help.

And the NRMT needs your support too, evidently. My issue is not just cynical exploitation of peoples’ misery to promote their power trips, but also their typical lack of financial accountability. (Although in that respect I guess they fit right in with the other government-sponsored relief efforts.) My ego doesn’t need need the splashy media attention, a “group” label, and spokesmen who represent me without my consent. There are too many other ways to donate time and money to needing causes, without undermining my First Amendment assembly rights in the process.

From: bar...@mac.com
Subject: From MSNBC.com
Date: November 1, 2005

Subkommander Dred wrote:

> If it matters so much to you, why don't you go on down to Waveland or to the Welcome Home Cafe in Algiers and lend a hand instead. They could use the help.

LOL!!!! Loving it, buddy! Miss you here!

Stone

From: Hawker
Subject: From MSNBC.com
Date: November 1, 2005

On 11/1/2005 12:17 AM, The digits of New Waveland Cafe’s hands composed the following:

I really like this article. If you haven’t clicked the link to see the Flash thingie do so.

One thing that strikes me about this is the quality of the reporting. I have now read many many many media reports about what we are doing there. Almost all of them have many errors, mistakes, wrong terms and words etc. This one actually got it. Granted I have not been down for a while, but I couldn’t find any obvious mistakes. Thereby showing that this reporter paid attention and took better notes. Congrats.

The only kitchen serving fresh, nutritious meals to the people of New Orleans east of Canal St. is being threatened with closure by city officials.

The loose-knit coalition of groups known as ‘the Rainbow Family of Living Light’, best known for their yearly 4th of July Rainbow Gatherings at rotating locations throughout the country, have been instrumental in the relief effort following Hurricane Katrina. The mobile kitchen they founded in Waveland, Mississippi, the area hardest hit by the storm, has been consistently serving 2,000 people a day since its inception in early September.

In New Orleans, the Rainbow Family established a kitchen over a month ago serving three meals a day to the homeless, nearly homeless, and underserved people of New Orleans. A half mile away is a facility with huge tents and serving areas set up by FEMA, but it is for FEMA contractors only, and large signs posted outside say “No public services available”. In fact, FEMA has been very visibly absent in the city of New Orleans, from their initial arrival five days late to their inexplicable lack of public centers in the city itself.

The “Welcome Home Kitchen”, as the Rainbow Family’s Kitchen is known, has been serving well over 700 people each day for three meals a day, as well as providing free medical care, a distribution center of clothing and supplies, a community bulletin board and information table, and a sense of camaraderie that has brought smiles and hugs from people in the most desperate of circumstances.

But now the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the New Orleans Emergency Operations Center, Ms. Cynthia Lear, has declared that the city will unilaterally shut the kitchen down on Wednesday, providing no alternative and no resources for the underserved in New Orleans. Ms. Lear has stated that there is no appeals process for this decision, even though community members at the Fauberg-Marigny neighborhood council meeting on Monday gave virtually unanimous support to the ongoing work of the kitchen.

Please call ms. cynthia sylvan lear, the deputy chief administrative officer of the new orleans emergency operations center at 504-658-2180 and Mayor Nagin at (504) 658-4924, Fax: (504) 658-4938 to express your dismay that such a resource would be unilaterally dismantled by the government while it is providing such an important resource for the community

Well, I finally had this donation ready to send out when I hear this. I called the first number and the guy who answer (such a perfect cop voice!!) had a bit of awe in his voice when he said I was one of many many people that called this number from it being posted on the internet. He then told me I had the wrong number, but after some conversation, realy was the go to guy on the enforcement arm of their situation. He is awaiting an official order from the Mayor’s office on kicking them out for trespassing, or operating a public kitchen without a license. This could come today, or anyway very soon. He says that some in the Cafe are spreading false credentials, especially on the CALM end. Basically, by the time he warmed up to me, he indicated that the bottom line was that now that operations are finally running more smoothly from military, police and recognized organizations, that the Welcome Home Cafe was not welcome anymore.

Wel, y’all are welcome in Colorado for TGC so feel free to take off. Some fights are not worth fighting, especially if it is true about the official organizations finally being on their feet (I sure know about the false info that law enforcement spreads, of course.) I have this letter to send out, though, so I’m trying to get enough info on if my CDs and $10 will be of any use.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Hurricane Katrina cleanup workers have to start paying for the space their tents and RVs are using in City Park, and those who do not pay by Friday will be treated as trespassers, officials say. Pink fliers announcing the plan - $300 a month for tents and $350 for campers, with portable toilets, lavatories and trash containers provided - were handed out over the weekend.

The park will have to pay to repair at least $4.3 million of the $43 million in damage done by Hurricane Katrina and it has no revenues, said Bob Becker, chief executive officer of City Park.

The park’s organization has laid off more than nine-tenths of its staff. With 23 workers remaining, it has too few workers to manage the rentals, and has hired Storm Force Inc. to do it.

Icaled this number and wads told that ms lear doesnt work there and thatshe was part of the mayors office ..Iwas also told that the stiory was skewed and ot thruthgfull... andfthat the rainbows were beingt closed down becasue thet refused to get a”permit”.... and the voice on the phone suggested thet the litchen was being closed out of fera of desease and a lack of dsatitatio..... I made it clear to this voice on the phone this was bullshit ... that we know the peole who wwre preparuing food and that this was a safe and healthy ki8thcne staffed by people who know how to delevier good heathy food.... yhe went on to dsay that sallys ... the military and the red cross was feeding people and that MR”S were avaible to anyone who was hhungery and that this kitchen was unneeded ... but he also made it clear he hadnt eaten there and didnt need too... assuming thatsince he was doing well... everyone else was like wise .... this is astory which should be pased on to cnn and msnbc and the rest of the major media... apperantly the gove big wigs in NO dont reallt care about the welbing opf thir citizens anymlore .. also called nagins office .... but no one answered the p=hone so I left a messge of disapointment wiht the mayors office ..... the voice on the phone btw asked me when I first asked for ms whats her name if Iwas calling aboutthe posting so they must have gotten alot of calls ... lets keep thiose calls going out folks and lets make more calls to the media and the press to expose this travesty

I was holding the packed envelope in my hand and the mailman was walking down the street when I decided to send it there, too. Though now, heck, I realize nola needs it more? I just feel it’s best to give the envelope two weeks to get there snail mail and know Waveland will be there....... such a little thing, I shouldn’t obsess.... ..... survivor’s on tonight is anyone watching? I’m rooting for Steph!

when i was down there is was closer to 300 meals a day and they are in a neighborhood that really did not need a kitchen . most of the bars and bussiness where up and running in the quaters as it is the high ground in the city and was least effected by the hurricane. i spent several hours one day canvassing around where they where set up asking people what they needed. i asked between 75 and 100 people what there needs where and how they could be helped to recover. what i heard was they did not need a kitchen but a food distrubtion center as at that time there where only a couple of stores to bye food at that was like the 9th or 10th of oct, they had power resored already . when i went back the day i left around the 25th of oct i was told they where up to 300 meals a day. i was of the thought that they where in the wrong spot from my first visit as the area they where in was not hit hard and there where places that there was a real need for a kitchen and services .in there defense it was a great spot as it was a beautiful grassy spot at was gated in for good security and a healthy place to hang out for the kithen staff. after reading this post i called down there and talked to some of the people i know in waveland and the eoc. i was told that the city wanted them to move to a different palce that all the bussiness where open in that area and the city was getting complants from residents in that neighborhood . that there was a need in the 7th and 9th wards not in the french quaters where they want people to start to spend money again to get the ecnomoy going . that that is where a huge chunk of city revenue comes from is the french quarters. that they where not being asked to leave the city but just that spot to go to where there was really a need for them to be which more then likely would change again is a couple of weeks. that the NO kitchen was being combative and where not working with the recovery program the city leaders where trying to setting up. that they had been given an extention to stay there a bit longer with teh hopes the kitchen would move to help the people who need it where there where not stores and bussinesses open yet .

A massive show of public support including a rally, march and call-in campaign has temporarily staved off the eviction of the “Welcome Home Kitchen” in Washington Square Park in New Orleans, the only kitchen serving free, fresh, nutritious meals to the people of New Orleans east of Canal St.

Although the immediate threat of eviction seems to have been stopped, the ‘Welcome Home’ kitchen remains under the imminent threat of closure by a city that is providing no similar service of its own for returning New Orleanians.

audio: MP3 at 2.4 MB

here is an audio report for free speech radio news: A massive show of public support including a rally, march and call-in campaign has temporarily staved off the eviction of the “Welcome Home Kitchen” in Washington Square Park in New Orleans, the only kitchen serving free, fresh, nutritious meals to the people of New Orleans east of Canal St.

Although the immediate threat of eviction seems to have been stopped, the ‘Welcome Home’ kitchen remains under the imminent threat of closure by a city that is providing no similar service of its own for returning New Orleanians. Dean is a local resident who recently returned to New Orleans: “My home is wrecked - they’re telling us come back, but there’s no place to stay - this kitchen is doing what the city and FEMA should be doing, but they’re not.” :25

The kitchen was founded in late September by a group of volunteers from the ‘Rainbow Family of Living Light’, best known for their yearly 4th of July Rainbow Gatherings. The Rainbow Family has been instrumental in the relief effort following Hurricane Katrina. The kitchen they founded in Waveland, Mississippi, the area hardest hit by the storm, has been consistently serving 2,000 people a day since its inception in early September.

Dee Anne Domnick is one of the kitchen’s founders: “I’m a registered nurse, and have been part of the medical tent, where we provide services.......the city has said there are concerns with sanitation, but it is actually a neighbor’s complaint that brought this on....” (:25)

Kenny is a local resident served by the kitchen: “These people want their property values to go up....they depend on tourists, and there aren’t any right now, so they’re blaming the kitchen - but we’re not gonna rebuild the spirit of New Orleans with that kind of attitude - we need to work together to rebuild” (:20)

The “Welcome Home Kitchen”, funded entirely by donations,, has been serving well over 700 people each day for three meals a day, as well as providing free medical care, a distribution center of clothing and supplies, a community bulletin board and information table, and a sense of camaraderie that has brought smiles and hugs from people in the most desperate of circumstances. A few blocks away is a facility with huge tents and serving areas set up by FEMA, but it is for FEMA contractors only, and large signs posted outside say “No public services available”.

Posted by common ground volunteer on November 10, 2005 03:37 PM |Permalink
TrackBack
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> don’t tell anybelly but i am gonna sneak over there and cover over the “No” part in the middle of the night...shhhh

now wouldn’t that be a sight. and have a cop there when ya show up to get service! spiritrising

From: Nightshade
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 14, 2005

So, we all kinda of knew that support was going to wane toward the holiday season, about the time when Katrina victims needed it the most.

If you have a little extra dough and some time, please give it some thought as to visiting the good people in New Orleans and helping out.The park is located on the corner of Royal Street and Eulasian Fields.

There is more information somewhere in this chatroom, you may try a search on NOLA if interested or just leave a statement of interest under this post. I’m sure plenty of people will help you out if I don’t get back.

Checked with Waveland last night. Everyone seemed in good spirits (heh heh). Aaron is apparently figuring out that CALM/Medical has the cute nurses. Maybe a CALM/Gfunk next year???

Take care

From: Nightshade
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 14, 2005

I hate to be a bother,
But, if anyone can post all related links to Waveland and NOLA that I could just copy, cut and paste into a text file for quick reference, I would be greatly appreciative.

From: Terry Richards
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 16, 2005

Nightshade wrote:

> I hate to be a bother,
> But, if anyone can post all related links to Waveland and NOLA that I could just copy, cut and paste into a text file for quick reference, I would be greatly appreciative.

http://www.welcomehome.org/rema

/|\

From: Nightshade
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 16, 2005

That is actually perfect but I was hoping someone could quickly post a list with URL’s,

Sometimes I need to respond with a specific website and If I could just paste it out of a list, it would be helpful.

Just looking to cut a corner...thanks though.

From: Terry Richards
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 16, 2005

Nightshade wrote:

> That is actually perfect but I was hoping someone could quickly post a list with URL’s,

there are plenty of urls on that page...just copy the page and pare it down. my posting is limited on agr but i could send ya something

/|\

From: Nightshade
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 16, 2005

I’ve been doing just that, thanks.

I hate to admit it, but I completely spaced that link. It certainly has grown in complexity since I last looked at it and is very well done.

I supoose that’s what you get when you’re posting at three in the morning.

From: Terry Richards
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 16, 2005

Nightshade wrote:

> I supoose that’s what you get when you’re posting at three in the morning.

i’m catching the breath of a new day here sunshine

/|\

From: spiritrising
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 16, 2005

well come over here terry i got sunshine, but it won’t do much good with the temp wind chill down around 17 degrees, they promise not to get higher than 38 today, and i know you would enjoy that.

but ya know this is better than being on the res, where now i bet there is atleast 2 ft of snow right now!! spiritrising

From: Terry Richards
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 16, 2005

spiritrising wrote:

> well come over here terry i got sunshine,

could ya give me a call now?

/|\

From: Nightshade
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 16, 2005

Plenty of sun in Arizona (Love it).

Anyway here’s an updated link for Waveland and NOLA. Looks like Waveland is going through the motions of shuting it down after Thanksgiving (little misty-eyed, Thanks Waveland for the Memories) NOLA is still going strong as the need is greater.

http://www.remarelief.net.

From: living...@safe-mail.net
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 16, 2005

i know there are many out there feeling and speaking as i do about the family’s support of this disaster in the south, but i still feel the need to share this:

first of all, THANK YOU. i have been on and off the trail for over a decade now and i know full well how big the hearts of many of my brothers and sisters are. i try to live everyday as kindly and compassionately as we do when we gather in the woods no matter where i am, and it was not suprising to hear of some of the names of family down in LA and MI - filipe, aaron funk, hawker to name a few - individuals i have long carried enormous amounts of respect and gratitude for due to their continuing actions and efforts to heal our earth mother as well as all our relations. however, to go not a step but a leap beyond that and read accounts of family working side by side with police, fundamentalist christians, government “officials”, basically a lot of people who have not been understanding of our way of life and why it is so important to be accepting and loving in every way, is unprecedented and frankly the most amazing thing i have ever known family to be a part of. i am currently unable to travel that far to come and help physically, but i am sending all my love and support, and cannot express enough how grateful and honored i am to be a part of this way of life, to feel the love 3000 miles away so strong, my heart is indeed singing. i am too young to have been fortunate enough to have attended the gathering all those years ago when grandfather david came from the hopi nation to share the prophecies, and i have heard from more than a few people of the bad reputation “drainbows” have brought to the term rainbow family since that great moment (an obstacle i have faced as i am sure plenty of you have also). however, an outreach of this magnitude - i am truly awed. so again, thank you family, for continuing to help all our relations in every way possible, for overcoming impossible odds to bring healing to our earth mother, and for working together to create a world of peace for my children, your children, and the generations to come. namaste.

From: jatwater1
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 17, 2005

“spiritrising” <spirit...@rainbowsend.info> wrote in message news:5jGef.13630$7h7.13037@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com...

> well come over here terry i got sunshine, but it won’t do much good with the temp wind chill down around 17 degrees, they promise not to get higher than 38 today, and i know you would enjoy that.

84 today with a low 56

From: spiritrising
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 17, 2005

“jatwater1” <jatw...@cox.net> wrote in message news:baWef.424$1x.224@fed1read06...

> 84 today with a low 56

i hear ya, maybe i made a wrong decesion not to go, but dang the house is so inviting, 17 degrees at wake up.24.1 now, everything is cool no freeze ups, and heaters are going!!! and quiet as all get out up here! and i can see all the property now with the leaves gone. spiritrising

From: spiritrising
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 17, 2005

“spiritrising” <spirit...@rainbowsend.info> wrote in message news:361ff.21873$Zv5.256@newssvr25.news.prodigy.net...

> i hear ya, maybe i made a wrong decesion not to go, but dang the house is so inviting, 17 degrees at wake up.24.1 now, everything is cool no freeze ups, and heaters are going!!!

just called the kiosk at the blm, and there have been fifteen people wonder where i am. so i had them take my info down and give it as they come. spiritrising

From: Nightshade
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 17, 2005

Still sunny in Arizona, some pretty cool overnight temps in the Northern parts though,

Thank you Living goddess (I’m guessing). I myself am just another messenger but you can tell them yourself on their blog site’s at http://www.remarelief.net.

For those who haven’t checked the last update from Waveland (I really should make this a seperate thread), here’s a paste from Aaron, We kinda of knew this was going to come down as volunteers shelled out all they had for gas and etc. This would be a good time to share some Holiday spirit

Volunteers, Materials No Longer Needed
Some Volunteers Seeking New Location Elsewhere
We Need Help to Get Outta Here

Greetings!

As things begin to wind down here in Waveland, we are happy to announce that the New Waveland Cafe is no longer in need of more volunteers or materials. We wish to thank you all for your generosity with your time, prayers and donations. We really made a difference here on the Mississippi Coast and we continually remind folks here that we’re only the face on a much larger effort.

The New Waveland Cafe will serve its last meal on Thanksgiving, followed by a day of rest, then a Party complete with Parade on Saturday, November 27, down Hwy 90 through the middle of Waveland. By December 1, we expect to leave an empty parking lot and lots of good memories here at Fred’s.

Many of our volunteers are currently seeking a different venue where hurricane survivors still require services. Some have formed a new non-profit organization called Emergency Communities to carry on the work we started here in Waveland, serving people in a good way in cooperation with anyone who will work with us regardless of political or religious views or affiliation. We’ll pass on the information as it becomes available.

Others are heading for home after what will be nearly three months to pick up where we left off back in September. I’m trying to address some special needs for volunteers who have donated all their energy for the past couple of months. Perhaps folks out there could help. (Note: No one asked me to do this. I just hope we can find these things).

Theodora and Leviticus arrived a few days after the New Waveland Cafe opened, on foot because their van blew up on the way under the strain of the supplies they were hauling. (The supplies made it, btw). They have become the heart and soul of the kitchen operation in that time. It would only be appropriate if they drove away from Waveland in their own van.

If you have a van within 1000 miles of here (and/or that you will deliver) with a clean title that runs well to donate, please contact me. To make a cash donation to the van effort, just use our donation page, and note that you are donating to the van effort.

Anne, who many of you know from Camp 44/Everybody’s, etc., Kitchen, arrived eight weeks ago hasn’t stopped working in the kitchen since. While making a produce run to the farmer’s market in Jackson, her transmission died on her Suburban. The estimate is $2000, which is more than we have in the bank right now. To make a cash donation to the transmission effort, just use our donation page, and note that you are donating to the transmission effort.

Additionally, we need to provide travel expenses for 25-30 volunteers who, due to their service, have no means to pay for their transportation out of here. We hope to be able to help them along their way.

This would be a good time for folks in undestroyed places to hold fundraisers in order to help us with these needs.

Stay tuned.

Arjay Sutton
Volunteer
New Waveland Cafe
(828) 280-6338

From: spiritrising
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 17, 2005

“Nightshade” <nightsh...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:1132254220.040174.299580@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...

> For those who haven't checked the last update from Waveland (I really should make this a seperate thread), here's a paste from Aaron

i saw some of this post 4 days ago. hum........ spiritrising

From: Nightshade
Subject: NOLA IS ASKING FOR HELP
Date: November 18, 2005